St Wilfrid’s Church - Mobberley Annual Parochial Church Meetin g Sunday 23rd April 2023
Index
-
1) Churchwardens Report 2) PCC Report 3) Electrol Roll Report
-
4) Safeguarding
-
5) Faith and Worship Report
-
6) Finance Report
-
7) Mobberley School Report
-
8) Youth Report
-
9) Deanery Synod
-
10) Fabric Committee 11) Rectors Report
Church Wardens Report – Church Life
Another year over, where does the time go. We have welcomed back our congregation to our services, numbers are still down but hopefully in time this will change. We still offer Zoom for people who are unable to attend Church in person. They are very important to our Church community. Soffits need to be replaced not yet completed due to the birds are still in Situ. We have had draft proofing installed at the North and South doors. Brushes has been fitted to the West door. Some of our Kneelers are now being displayed in Church. Flag rope has snapped & need a means of re-attaching a new one. JH to look into. Plaques from churchyard benches have been fixed on fence.
Thanks go to Ian and all the members of the PCC and many others members of the Church, who are on committees that revolve round the PCC also to Sides people, Verger, Readers, Flower Arrangers and brass polishers all very important jobs.
Thank you for all who have supported our Church, may you continue.
Carole Critchley and John Hennerley Church Wardens
PCC Report Ann Grainger
The PCC met on six occasions with an average attendance of 71%. In addition to our regular meetings the PCC has had three ‘Away Day’ meetings. The first of these was held at Foxhill House, the retreat and conference centre for the Chester Diocese, and a further two meetings held at The Beacon (more about this in the Faith and Worship report). These were felt to be very beneficial and we intend to continue to explore the issues raised.
At the 2022 APCM John Hennerley and Carole Critchley were elected as Churchwardens and Ray Britland and Jo-Ann Hennerley were re-elected to the PCC. Pam Smith was elected in place of David Bleakley as Deanery Synod representative for the remainder of the 3-year term. At the May PCC meeting the following officers were appointed: Vice Chair – John Grainger Secretary – Ann Grainger Treasurer –Jean Underhill Assistant Treasurer – John Grainger Electoral Roll Officer – Linda Rushton Health and Safety Officer – Ann Grainger Envelope Secretary – Jean Underhill Parish Safeguarding Officer – Tim Mort Flag Officer – Mike Boalch PCC Representatives: PCC Standing Committee– Tim Mort and Colin Whiteley. Mobberley Trust – Ian Blay, Tim Mort Friends of St. Wilfrid– Bridget Knight and Pam Smith Victory Hall Committee – Carole Critchley, John Grainger School Governor – Val Baker Christian Aid – Celia Webb-Boalch John Grainger and Jean Underhill continued as Deanery Synod representatives. Major efforts have been made this year for all members of the PCC, and others in the church in contact with the young or vulnerable individuals, to complete the online course for Basic Awareness Training, and for all members to be DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checked. This has now been done. The PCC was informed that a prospective buyer wished to use land at Mode Cottage as a business and asked that we remove the Deed of Covenant, which stipulates that the site could only be used for residential purposes. This was refused and the purchaser has now agreed to only use the site residentially. Many other issues of a general nature have been discussed and actioned. In particular congregation members might notice fewer draughts around the church,
with draught excluders being fitted to all the doors. Finance is still a major concern with income falling well below our expenditure.
I would like to thank all members of the PCC who have given their time and expertise in the care and maintenance of our church community over the past year.
Ann Grainger PCC Secretary
Report of the Electoral Roll Ofcer – Linda Rushton
There are currently 121 names on the electoral roll. In 2022 115 on register.
Linda Rushton – Electoral Roll Officer
Safeguarding Tim Mort Annual safeguarding Report 2023
1. Incident reporting
There were no incidents reported this year. There are no cases or attendance agreements currently being managed.
2. Actions completed
2:1 The following are now safeguarding compliant in accordance with diocesan standards and the requirements of the Parish Safeguarding Handbook:The parish website
Notices displayed in the church and in the new parish rooms known as the “Beacon”
The Good Practice Guidelines for exercising pastoral care and working with children and vulnerable adults Procedures for dealing promptly with safeguarding allegations or suspicions of abuse
Completion of “Activity risk assessments “for each activity associated with children or vulnerable adults and run in the name of the church The consideration of safeguarding as a standing agenda item at each PCC meeting
Insurance cover for all activities undertaken in the name of the PCC which involve children, young people and vulnerable adults
2.2.1 Our Rector Lay Reader and Pastoral Worker have been DBS checked by the Diocese and records of those checks and the safeguarding courses attended by them are held by the Diocese.
2.2.2 The members of the PCC have been DBS checked as have those specifically engaged in parish work with children and vulnerable adults.
2.2.3 Our PCC members have completed “Basic Awareness” level modules on line and some have also completed” Safeguarding Foundation”
-
Actions to be completed in the next 12 months Members of the PCC to complete “Safeguarding Foundation” and “Raising Awareness of Domestic Abuse” modules. Those specifically engaged in assisting in parish work with children and vulnerable adults to complete “Basic awareness”.
-
The PCC has complied with the duty to have regard to the House of Bishops Policy and Practice Guidance
– Faith & Worship Group Report Ann Grainger
At our first Mission meeting we analysed what we are about, what we hope to achieve and how we can achieve it. A new mission statement was formulated, and then we categorised our activities under Worship, Mission or Ministry. We concluded that worship is at the centre of these three categories. Following on from these conclusions we held a further two meetings at the Beacon, where we examined the pattern and content of our services, resulting in a new family-oriented service on the 4th Sunday of the month, Choral Matins being moved to a 5th Sunday, and proposals for extra weekday services, for those unable to attend on Sundays, of a very different style from our usual worship. We have also trialled moving Evensong services to 3.30pm during the winter months to accommodate those who dislike driving in the dark. Numbers attending have stayed steady so we can at least say that the time change hasn’t had any detrimental effect.
Ann Grainger Convener, Faith and Worship group
st December 2022
Finance Committee Report for year ending 31
2022 has seen an increase in income helped by contributions on the plate both at church services and also at services at The Beacon. Fees received from funerals and weddings have also contributed to the upturn in the PCC finances as have church events and our thanks go to those who gave their time and effort in organising and supporting these events. Our thanks also go to those families who have made donations in memory of a loved one who have died during the year and to the Wilmslow half marathon committee for their donation. A grant towards the upkeep of the graveyards was received from Mobberley Parish Council, and in addition to the volunteers working in the graveyard Ray Britland once again gave the services of his men in keeping the grass cut, we are very grateful for this support
Interest from our Mode Cottage investments remains a steady source of income as does the amount reclaimed from HMRC in respect of Gift Aid. The PCC once again took the decision to pay the Parish Share in full. The Beacon at 30 Town Lane has been fully functional during the year and is largely covering its running costs. It is not anticipated that there will be any major capital expenditure in the immediate future.
As a result of the general improvement in the finances of the PCC it has only been necessary to transfer £25,000 this year from the Mode Cottage fund to top up the PCC account half the amount required in 2021.
Mobberley PCC Receipts and Payments for year ended 31 December 2022
| PCC | Account – Receipts | |
|---|---|---|
| A01 | Standing Orders | 17,738.00 |
| A02 | Gift Aid at services | 10,264.20 |
| A03 | Cash at services/cofee/alms | 7,509.64 |
| A04 | Cash – Services @ The Beacon | 887.60 |
| A05 | Cash – Sale of magazine | 370.00 |
| A06 | Gift Aid - Gift Day/General | 3,205.00 |
| A07 | Cash - Gift Day/General | 100.00 |
| A08 | Fees Weddings/Funerals | 33,845.00 |
| A09 | Nat. Trust/Subs. refunds | 0.00 |
| A10 | Church Events | 3,893.35 |
| A11 | Interest from investments | 10,464.75 |
| A12 | Gift Aid Tax reclaimed | 9,453.31 |
| A13 | Rectory costs refunded | 5.00 |
| A14 | Sponsorship/Grants | 2,970.00 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| A15 | Grant DBF/Crem. Grant | 1,098.05 | |
| A16 | The Beacon | 1,252 .94 |
|
| Total | 103,056 .84 |
||
| Capital | Receipts | ||
| C01 | Grants/Donations/Legacies/Restricted 0.00 | ||
| C02 | Grants/Donations/Legacies /Unrestricted | 0.00 | |
| C03 | Friends Donations | 0.00 | |
| C04 | Tax Reclaimed | 0.00 | |
| C05 | The Beacon | 0 .00 |
|
| Total | 0 .00 |
||
| Total Receipts | |||
| PCC Account - Payments | |||
| B01 | Candles/wine/bread/baptism | 249.30 | |
| B02 | Literature/envelopes/website | 805.24 | |
| B03 | Messy Church/Youth Club | 1,495.63 | |
| B04 | Donations to charities | 475.00 | |
| B05 | Fees to Chester DBF | 10,035.00 | |
| B06 | Parish Share | 82,936.00 | |
| B07 | Organ/Organist/Visiting Organist fees4,750.00 | ||
| B08 | Visiting Clergy Fees | 0.00 | |
| B09 | Honorarium at weddings/funerals10,710.00 | ||
| B10 | Rectors expenses | 1,251.46 | |
| B11 | Pastoral Worker expenses | 618.85 | |
| B12 | PCC expenses | 336.25 | |
| B13 | Church costs – gas/electricity/water4,406.76 | ||
| B14 | Church insurance | 4,994.18 | |
| B15 | Churchyard maintenance | 0.00 | |
| B16 | Rectory – Council tax/water/repairs3,753.73 | ||
| B17 | Licences/Deanery subs./other | subs. 910.24 | |
| B18 | Rent to National Trust | 33.07 | |
| B19 | Cost of events/hire costs etc. | 90.00 | |
| B20 | Cost of refreshments | 0.00 | |
| B21 | Cost of fowers | 84.98 | |
| B22 | Cost of courses | 0.00 | |
| B23 | Church maintenance | 1,547.47 | |
| B24 | Church Broadband/Screen | 280.80 | |
| B25 | The Beacon | 4,829 .22 |
|
| Total | 134,593 .18 |
||
| Capital | Payments | ||
| D01 | Church | 0.00 | |
| D02 | Churchyard | 0.00 | |
| D03 | The Beacon | 0 .00 |
|
| Total | |||
| Total Payments | 134,593 .18 |
||
| Defcit | for the year | -31,536 .34 |
Cheques issued but not cleared £59.00 Fees Chester DBF
Balance Balance 31/12/2022 31/12/2021 NatWest Account 33,547.79 40,084.13 Balance £ 33,547.79 40,084.13*
*This includes £25,000 bank transfer from CCLA Global Equity fund into NatWest Account
which was used to pay the outstanding Parish Share balance and to cover part of the deficit
| Mode Cottage Fund CCLA Investment CCLA Global Equity St. James' Place Unit Trust |
Balance 31/12/2022 66,103.63 106,016.26 126,168 .78 298,288 .67 |
Balance 31/12/2021 74,879.07 152,529.62 140,762 .68 368,171 .37 |
|---|---|---|
In addition, The Beacon, 30 Town Lane, Mobberley owned by Mobberley PCC with a notional value of £200,000.00
Prepared by Jean Underhill January 2023
Deborah Hinson Independent Examiner Mobberley Church of England Primary School
It is a pleasure to report on a number of exciting developments this academic year at the school. A new prayer garden/reflection area has been established which will be used by all classes to continue developing spirituality within school. Forest school sessions have now been established which are proving to be very popular with the children, allowing them to link the environment to their learning – the infants have been having great fun hunting for bugs, playing in the mud kitchen and building dens. The sessions will continue to be rolled out to all years across the school. Remembrance Day saw the children take part in the national 2 minute silence and the choir sang so beautifully in church during the Remembrance Sunday service. Music is an integral part of school life at Mobberley and the choir also performed at the Christmas Fair, Manchester Airport and Cranford Grange nursing home. The children once again contributed to the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child appeal, putting together shoeboxes of items to be sent to children in need across the world with a focus this year on children in Ukraine. The autumn term concluded with the Nativity and Christmas concert performances – always wonderful to see the children tell the wonderous story of the birth of Jesus in their own way.
The spring term has been extremely busy and productive with many highlights including World Book Day, STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) week, Storytelling week, the celebration of Uniformed Organisations in Mobberley Day, a Poetry Masterclass with Tony Walsh, eco workshops focusing on reusing and recycling, and Children’s Mental Health week where lessons were spent thinking about our connections to other people and how we can be kind to each other. In addition, a Nepal enrichment day built on links the school has with a school in Kathmandu – the children enjoyed learning about the culture and beliefs in Nepal. One particular highlight of the spring term saw 25 children take part in the Young Voices concert at the AO arena in Manchester along with 8500 others. They had a wonderful time and represented the school so well.
Following the disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is wonderful to welcome so many reading volunteers back into the school – this is such a vital support to help children with their reading.
As the summer term begins, Y2 and Y6 children will be preparing for SATS tests and we wish them well in their assessments. It will also be a busy term of activities including the sports day, summer show, school trips and the Leavers service.
The PTA have also had a busy year with various fundraising events including a Pre-Loved book sale in school so that every child could chose a book to take home. This was in addition to the annual bingo night in the Victory Hall, the Summer Fair and the Christmas Fair. Money from fundraising activities has supported much needed facilities at school. In addition, the Y6 Young Leaders have been busy with fundraising activities for the Turkey/Syria earthquake appeal, whilst Y5 raised money for the Ukraine Crisis Appeal .
The last year has also been a time of uncertainty for many with the cost of living crisis bringing its own challenges and we keep in our prayers those families in our school community who are finding it difficult to manage at this time. May God provide comfort to those in need.
Finally, our thanks as always to the teachers, teaching assistants and all staff at our school for their continued dedication.
But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength. 2 Timothy 4.17
Dr Valerie Baker Foundation Governor
- Youth Report John Hennerley
Well another year has passed since my last report and even though COVID restrictions are not what they were, COVID is still with us. With this said our attendance at messy church although not bad towards the latter end of last year has tailed off this year. On the bright side though, I am very happy to say two new families joined us at our last session so things may be on the up, a very big welcome to you both.
Our Christmas Nativity was fantastic Last year with a mix of messy church children and youth club children all taking part which in my opinion made it even more special, long may this continue.
Our New Beacon Youth club started last May and has grown from strength to strength with over 80 children being registered on our books. There has also been talk of a Youth Club float this year in the Rose Festival which will be fantastic. The Beacon Babies new mothers and toddlers group has also been started up at the beacon on 27[th] march this year. This is open and is free to all parents with toddlers and babies and mums with bumps to enable them to meet, chat have a brew and a biscuit. This is open from 10am to 12 every Monday morning. All the children seemed to enjoy the first session with the toast soldiers made by Jo-Ann Hennerley going down very well.
With Saint Wilfrid’s offering all these activities to the families and children of our community I feel God will be smiling down on us all as we meet and grow together.
Can I also take this opportunity to thank EVERY ONE who helps, contributes and gives their time to run and make these events/activities so successful? Without these people these things would not take place. Your commitment is beyond value, Thank you so much
Matthew 18:2.5
He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
Take Care and God Bless
John Hennerley Youth Leader.
– Deanery Synod Rev Ian Blay
Since the last APCM the Deanery Synod has met on three occasions. At our meeting on the 7[th] July we welcomed Bessia Kanengoni, the Diocesan Digital Giving Advisor, to St. Wilfrid's. She spoke about the various platforms available to enable digital giving in churches. Our second meeting was on the 22[nd] November we met at St. John, Knutsford. Unusually we had subjects. The first was a brief introduction to Knutsford Together by Sarah Flannery and Nicola Marshall, a new charity started by Mr. David Briggs to support people living in poverty in the Knutsford area. Our next subject was on the matter of Ecochurch and we welcomed the Venerable Ian Bishop to speak of the national church's and Diocesan plans to be Carbon Zero by 2030. He also spoke of ways in which parish churches could look to cut their carbon footprint.
Our last meeting on the 27[th] March also took place at St. Wilfrid's. This was a sombre meeting following the decisions at General Synod the previous weekend concerning the Bishop's statement following the Living in Love and Faith process undertaken in 2021-22. We took the opportunity to give people space to express how they felt and where they were with the situation. The Deanery has been very short staffed with vacancies at Wilmslow, Alderley and Birtles, High Legh, and Rosthern and Tabley. The Rev. Clare Leal was welcomed to High Legh in December whilst the appointment of the Rev. Eddie Roberts at Wilmslow has been announced. We are still awaiting news of an appointment at Alderley and Birtles whilst there have been no applications for Rostherne with Tabley.
Rural Dean of Knutsford Rev. Canon Ian Blay
Fabric Committee - Rev Ian Blay
All the work from the last Quinquennial Report have been completed and we note that the next report is due in 2024.
There have been two long-term issues that have been ongoing in the last year. The first is the tarmac on the church approach which is breaking up badly. A work party of the Rector, Phil Armstrong and Neil Rowland undertook repairs and filled in some potholes however the 'skirt', particularly on the eastern approach, is now badly crumbling and will need addressing in the coming year.
The second issue has been the heating. The boiler stopped working in the new year and, after initially being condemned, was temporarily repaired. In addition, we have another leak in the pipes from a failed seal. We managed to buy a job lot of seals a few years ago, which are no longer being manufactured, but with a failing boiler and a failing heating system, alongside the Church of England's commitment to move away from the use of fossil fuels, this seems like the time to start investigating alternative heating solutions and we will be doing this over the coming year.
Otherwise, the stonework and roof seem in generally good condition although we do need to clear the guttering. Work has been undertaken to cut down on the drafts and, for what it is, it is generally warm and damp free although the cost of keeping it that way may be something we will struggle to maintain in the face of rapidly escalating fuel costs.
Rector’s Report – Rev Canon Ian Blay
“Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, ‘Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God.”
Isaiah 35:3-4a Our Annual Parochial Church Meeting is, as the word Parochial suggest, largely concerned with local matters however I am keenly aware that as I write this the Church of England, and quite possibly the whole Anglican Communion, is facing the most challenging time in its history. The current debate concerning homosexuality and gender has been going on for a decade now, largely in the background, until the Living in Love and Faith agenda was rolled out at the tail end of 2021.
Some people think that the debate is similar to that over the ordination of women to the priesthood however that simply is not the case. The discussions then concerned matters of Church order which, as a solution of sorts, allowed the Church of England to shape itself in such a way as to create two 'integrities', allowing both those who agreed to the ordination of women and those who disagreed to continue to live and function together. To put it crudely, those who opposed the ordination of women thought the other side simply to be wrong, not to be sinful. The current debate is very different and there is no such method for squaring this circle.
The Bishops presented a document to General Synod which, after 3 days of debate, was finally approved but, despite the Bishops' proposal having more fudge than Blackpool pier, it has still stirred up a storm of protest from all sides with the usual cries that it has both gone too far and hasn't gone far enough.
The Bishop of Chester has tried to steer a steady course through these turbulent waters. He recognises that this is still a journey and we have not yet reached our end point, so he has encouraged us all to think about where God is leading us on this journey, what is it that God is asking us to do? The way we journey is as important as the destination.
I invite you to pray for Bishop Mark, for Bishop Sam and Bishop Julie, at this incredibly testing time and also pray for discernment, humility and faith and we journey on together.
As ever there is a long list of people to thank and many of our people fulfil more than one role so please don’t be disappointed if I don’t list all your functions, please accept the following as a thank you for all that you do. I must begin with our Churchwardens, John Hennerley and Carole Critchley. The Churchwardens fulfil a very important role within the life of the church and I suspect people are barely even aware of the amount of work that they do. Carole has now come to the end of her maximum 6 years in Office and has decided to stand down, I would like to thank her for everything she has done over that period.
I would like to thank our PCC Officers, Jean and Ann, for all they do in that capacity, and all our PCC members for all their work over the last year. I would particularly like to thank Ray Britland who is stepping down after 15 years of service.
I am immensely grateful to John Grainger our Reader. Having gone 17 years and only missing one Sunday I have missed three Sundays in the last year alone and John has always been there with both the willingness and ability to step in, often at very short notice. My thanks to you and for all that you do. I also, of course, have to make special mention of Jean Underhill our Pastoral Worker who does so much to keep in touch with people in their times of sickness and keeping them involved in the life of the wider church.
I would like to thank David and all the Choir, as well as our Assistant Organist Christopher Foy, for their contribution to our services over the last 12 months and filling the church with beautiful music. In addition, my thanks to the bellringers for their contribution in calling people to worship. Speaking of worship thanks to all our Sidemen and Sideswomen, our readers and those on the flower and coffee rotas.
Our mission at The Beacon continues to grow apace with the Youth Group, Parents and Tots, Wednesday Film Matinees, Men's Breakfast, Messy Church as well as the Drop-Ins. Thank you to John and Jo-Ann Hennerley and John Grainger for all that they do down there. Next month we shall be starting our Alternative Services and we shall be broadcasting the Coronation from there.
Speaking of our children's work of ever-growing importance over the last years has been our focus on Safeguarding. At St. Wilfrid's every PCC member and everyone who works with children has been DBS checked and many have undertaken Safeguarding training and for that I have to thank our Parish Safeguarding Officer Tim Mort and his deputy Bridget Knight for their vital work in keeping everybody safe and our church above reproach. Needless to say I would like to thank our Messy Church leaders and helpers, it has been a difficult year with wildly fluctuating numbers attending but your support and dedication has been magnificent.
My thanks to Mike, Celia and Hazel for all the work they do in keeping the graveyard neat and tidy. Mike also serves as out Flag Officer which has been a busy job in this year when we said farewell to our beloved Queen.
This year has seen Liz Bridgford step down from organising the church decorating but in true Mobberley fashion she had already arranged her stand-in and so we thank Liz but also welcome Sarah Baron to her new role. Thank you to everybody who helps decorate the church for Christmas, Easter and Harvest.
This year two members of our church family have passed into glory, we remember with love and affection Pauline Norbury and David Evans. May they rest in peace and rise in glory, good and faithful servants of our Lord. We also keep their families in our thoughts and prayers as they cope with their loss.
Finally, thank you to those who represent the church on the various affiliated bodies, Val Baker our School Governor, Tim Mort who is on the Mobberley Trust, and those who represent the church on the Victory Hall TDC and the Friends of St. Wilfrid’s.
As ever, if I have missed anybody out above please accept my apologies and be assured that as a co-worker with God nothing that we do in the name of his Son is ever ignored, dismissed or forgotten.
Rev. Canon Ian Blay